The Calm

It’s one of those mornings, pregnant with anticipation. Lots to talk about, but nothing to say.

The consensus is that the Angels are too banged up to beat the Sox. No Matthews, Guerrero as DH, no Colon. History — the amazing 1986 ALCS, the 2004 sweep capped by the first of Ortiz’s three postseason walk-off hits — also is on the Sox’ side.

The problem is anything can happen. Beckett has an off night, while Lackey doesn’t. Matsuzaka has a September-like start, and suddenly the Sox are down 0-2 and needing a repeat of 2003.

So, use this thread to speak what’s on your mind about the upcoming Sox-Angels series.

Red Sox in 4.
Yankees lose in 5.
That’s my prediction. It’s also the only outcome that will allow me to remain alive.

LocklandSFOctober 3, 2007, 11:50 am

I’ll tell you what’s on my mind. I want to see the BoSox pounded out of the ALDS so I can see my Yanks play live in the ALCS. (That is if they take care of the Tribe)
Battle of the Texans tonite. May the one who is not a huge D-bag win. [Lackey of course =)]

bloodyank78October 3, 2007, 11:54 am

“It’s also the only outcome that will allow me to remain alive.”
Did you make a bet with the Boston mob again?

AndrewYFOctober 3, 2007, 12:01 pm

Lackey’s from the same town where I went to college — or, rather, he graduated from high school there. He’s a big deal there, and it was huge in 2002 when he won Game 7.
I think the Red Sox will win. I hope the Yankees will lose.
I think there’s a better than 50 percent chance of both thouse outcomes happening, but I just don’t know about that Tribe-Yanks series.

Paul SFOctober 3, 2007, 12:03 pm

I also have a question – what is the rationale of Eric Hinske existing in the Red Sox organization? Sure, he can play third, first, and outfield, but none particularly well, and as far as his offensive production goes, he might as well be swinging with a salami.
Was there really no one else? Bronson Sardinha is more valuable.

AndrewYFOctober 3, 2007, 12:04 pm

We’ve talked about this on the game threads, Andrew. Hinske’s BA is very low, but his slugging is about the same as Drew’s and Varitek’s this year, better than Crisp’s and Lugo’s (not exactly saying a lot, but you know). His OBP also is 100 points better than his average. He’s kind of a three-true-outcomes kind of player: K, XBH or BB.

Paul SFOctober 3, 2007, 12:07 pm

I have no defense prepared for Eric Hinske. He’s useless, as far as I am concerned.

SFOctober 3, 2007, 12:07 pm

Hinske is Captain Smiles of the Bench Brigade! Someone’s gotta high-five Papi and Manny when they hit homers.
If smiles were runs Hinske would be MVP.

AtheoseOctober 3, 2007, 12:15 pm

There’s a really good article here about Manny’s pre-game routine:http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1035710
“Later in the workout, which is done 30 minutes before every game, Page throws four rings at Ramirez. Each ring has a different colored ball attached to it, and Page calls out the color of the ball Manny has to grab out of mid-air.
“It’s comical how good he is at it,” Page said. “Other guys try it, but they don’t come close.””

AtheoseOctober 3, 2007, 12:19 pm

I hope:
Sox in 4
Indians in 4
I have less faith in the latter than the former, though. Vegas likes the MFY at 2-1.
Mike and Mike were saying this morning the Sox were stupid for taking the extra day off, because otherwise it would have let the Indians use Sabathia and Carmona twice. Uhm, I think the Sox, who have to fly coast to coast, needed to worry about winning their series first before trying to influence the outcome of others. Golic, stick to football.

Agree, Ponch. Everyone but the Red Sox seems to think the Red Sox are obsessive about the Yankees.
Honestly, why would the Sox take a less optimal series (longer wait, fewer days off, need more pitchers) just to force the Yankees into one they might not do as well in? Won’t really do any good if the Sox don’t advance, now will it?

Paul SFOctober 3, 2007, 12:39 pm

Thats truely a comical suggestion. This perceived obsession also goes the other way too (albeit not as much). Statements like the yankees need to sign so and so just so the sox dont get him, etc. just dont make sense.

Sam-YFOctober 3, 2007, 12:48 pm

Yeah, the media really blows things out of proportion. Fans are crazy when it comes to The Rivalry, but the individual teams/FO’s aren’t nearly so.

AtheoseOctober 3, 2007, 12:52 pm

Well, if the Sox had taken the shorter series, they would have forced Lackey to pitch twice in Fenway. Not that that’s a reason to choose it. I think they rightly made the best choice for their team (but Dice-K twice???).

PeteOctober 3, 2007, 1:04 pm

Daisuke only has to pitch twice if the series goes to a Game 5. I think the organization–and all of Red Sox Nation–is hoping it won’t come to that.
If Daisuke falters in his first start and a Game 5 is forced, I bet we’ll see Lester take the mound.

AtheoseOctober 3, 2007, 1:25 pm

Im about to have a nervous breakdown. Postseason is always hard for me. Especially the ALDS for some reason. I HATE losing in the ALDS. Its embarrassing. I can, to some degree, handle losing in the ALCS. Its a bit easier in the Series. But the ALDS is the WORST.
Oh, god, I’m gonna vomit.

AnonymousOctober 3, 2007, 1:37 pm

Agreed, on the first, disagree on the second. There’s no way in hell they start Lester ahead of Dice. Maybe Schill on short rest on that scenario, but no, they’ve made that bed.
Here’s the problem as I see it: If the Sox don’t sweep (and I think they will), Game 4 in Anaheim favors the Angels with Lackey at home.
Reverse jinx!

PeteOctober 3, 2007, 1:40 pm

If Dice totally craps the bed in Game 2–like 6+ runs in the first three innings–I think Lester will be a strong possibility for Game 5. Do you really think they would stick with Daisuke for the sake of stubbornness? Lester had a great September.

AtheoseOctober 3, 2007, 2:14 pm

Atheose, Dice-K is not a short-term rental. He is a presumbaly a #2 for the long-term future of the franchise and possibly an eventual ace. I don’t think sticking with him in the hypothetical scenario you propose would be merely a question of stubborness. Not going with him is kind of like batting A-Rod 8th, except worse since, at least if you bat a guy 8th he still gets to play. Don’t you think it would be hard on Dice-K’s confidence and future – including in a prospective ALCS – to yank him from that start? Certainly not for Lester anyway.

IronHorse (yf)October 3, 2007, 2:24 pm

It is of my opinion that this game is bigger for the Red Sox than it is for the Angels. While that’s a little ridiculous – you treat every postseason game as a ‘must-win’, the Sox are much worse off if they lose Game 1 than the Angels would be.
But I wouldn’t be nervous. I’d put down a $50 bet that the Sox win this first game handily – with Figgins, Matthews, and Anderson out, all the cards are stacked in their favor here.

AndrewYFOctober 3, 2007, 2:25 pm

Lackey, 0 and 2 and 7+ era in Fenway this year — ugggggggh. But I think they’re going to hit Dick E